Irrigator liquid supply system

ABSTRACT

A urological endoscopic irrigation liquid supply system is provided including, in combination, a sterilizer comprising means for sterilizing irrigating liquid and filling the sterile irrigating liquid into a storage reservoir carried on a track, and an irrigator comprising a storage track for the filled storage reservoir, means for supporting a gravity feed reservoir at an elevated position with respect to the filled reservoir, and means for pumping irrigating fluid from the storage reservoir to the gravity feed reservoir. The tracks on each of the sterilizer and irrigator can be interconnected, so as to transfer the storage reservoir containing sterile irrigating fluid from the sterilizer on the track to the irrigator, for connection to the gravity feed reservoir.

United States Patent 1 1 McDonald, Jr. et al.

IRRIGATOR LIQUID SUPPLY SYSTEM Inventors: Harold Paul McDonald, Jr.,

Memphis, Tenn.; John Varga, Bayville, N.Y.

East/West Medical Products Inc., New York, N.Y.

Filed: May 14, 1973 Appl. No.: 360,225

Assignee:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1972 Hudson 128/227 [451 Sept. 24, 1974 Primary ExaminerHouston S. Bell, Jr.

[5 7 ABSTRACT A urological endoscopic irrigation liquid supply system is provided including, in combination, a sterilizer comprising means for sterilizing irrigating liquid and filling the sterile irrigating liquid into a storage reservoir carried on a track, and an irrigator comprising a storage track for the filled storage reservoir, means for supporting a gravity feed reservoir at an elevated position with respect to the filled reservoir, and means for pumping irrigating fluid from the storage reservoir to the gravity feed reservoir. The tracks on each of the sterilizer and irrigator can be interconnected, so as to transfer the storage reservoir containing sterile irrigating fluid from the sterilizer on the track to the irrigator, for connection to the gravity feed reservoir.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDm-rzman I 3,837,379

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1 IRRIGATOR LIQUID SUPPLY SYSTEM SPECIFICATION An irrigator apparatus has been provided in U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,774 to Harold P. McDonald, Jr., patented May 18, 1971, for supplying sterile irrigating fluid in controlled amounts to a patient. The apparatus includes a receptacle tank or reservoir for storing the sterile irrigation fluid, a pump for elevating quantities of the fluid, and a reservoir bag into which the pump can deliver the irrigating fluid, for introduction by grav- -ity feed to a patient. The reservoir bag is thus suspended at a height above the patient, while the storage tank or reservoir is held at a relatively low position, and the fluid is transferred from the lower tank to the upper reservoir by way of the pump.

It is necessary of course to replenish the supply of sterile irrigating fluid in the lower tank, and this is normally done by removing the empty tank, and replacing it by another, previously filled with the sterile fluid. This, however, poses a problem to hospital personnel, particularly nurses, who find it difficult to maneuver heavy fluid-filled tanks. An open top tank is hard to keep sanitary, so it must be covered, but spillage is still possible.

A plastic bag would be easier to manage than an open top tank, but transport of a fluid-filled plastic bag from the sterile fluid supply to the irrigator apparatus also poses the hazard of rupture of the bag en route, or in the course of removal from the sterile water supply or installation in the irrigator.

Because of the problem posed by bags, the apparatus described in the patent uses a tank, which is made of hard and more durable material. This tank must, however, be lifted or slid in and out of the storage cabinet of the apparatus, and since it is too costly to be disposable, it must be resanitized with each use. This could be avoided, if it were possible to use disposable sanitary bags of flexible inexpensive plastic film.

In accordance with the invention an irrigator irrigating liquid supply system is provided, whereby reservoirs of thin plastic film movably supported on a track can be filled with sterile irrigating liquid, and transferred while on the track onto a like track within the irrigator apparatus. Since the reservoir is always supported on a track, this can be done without danger of rupture, and without the necessity of lifting the reservoir in moving it from one place to another.

The irrigator irrigating liquid supply system of the invention comprises, in combination, (1) a sterilizer apparatus comprising means for sterilizing irrigating liquid, and track means for carrying a storage reservoir for reception of sterilized irrigating liquid from the sterilizer; and (2) an irrigator apparatus comprising means for supporting a gravity feed reservoir in an elevated position; a track for carrying a storage reservoir containing sterilized irrigating liquid; and a pump for transferring sterilized irrigating liquid from the storage reservoir to the gravity feed reservoir; and (3) track connector means associated either with the track on the sterilizer apparatus or with the track on the irrigator apparatus, detachably linking the two tracks together in a manner such that a reservoir filled with sterilized irrigating fluid can readily be transferred from the sterilizer to the irrigator along the track, and stored on the track in the irrigator during use.

Either or both of the sterilizer and irrigator can be supported movably on a vehicle, but it is only necessary that one be, and this can be either one.

A reservoir bag when empty can easily be removed from the irrigator apparatus and discarded, and replaced by a fresh reservoir installed using this system. The system of the invention is applicable to any kind of irrigator, of which one example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,774.

The sterilizer employed in the sterilizer apparatus is also conventional, and any kind of sterilizer can be used. The sterilizer can if desired be connected to a water tap, for supply of water to be sterilized. The storage reservoir can be of any type and size, and is provided with means running on the tracks of the sterilizer apparatus and the irrigator apparatus for supporting the reservoir on the track.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represent a sterilizer in accordance with the invention, seen from the side, with a plastic storage reservoir bag in place on the track, ready for reception of sterile irrigating liquid from the sterilizer;

FIG. 2 is a top view, with portions cut away, of the sterilizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view, with portions cut away, of an irrigator in accordance with the invention, showing a plastic storage reservoir'bag in place on a track, in a storage compartment, connected by tubing with a pump for delivery of sterile irrigating liquid to the upper reservoir bag;

FIG. 4 is a top view, with portions cut away, of the irrigator of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the irrigator of FIG. 3; and

5, and showing the tracks on each interconnected, for

transfer of a filled reservoir bag on the track, with the reservoir bag partially moved out from the sterilizer.

The sterilizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a vehicle 1 having a frame 2, with four swivel wheels 3 fixed to the frame, but it can as well be mounted on a stationary frame if the irrigator is on a vehicle. The frame 2 has atop 5, which provides a working surface, and also a surface on which other objects can be carried, held thereon by the retaining edge 4. The sides of the frame are closed off by side panels 6 and divider 7, which define two storage compartments 8, 9. Within the storage compartment 8 which has an open front is disposed a sterilizer unit 10 of conventional type, provided with a control panel 10, a liquid inlet tap 11, a first liquid outlet tap 12 for nonsterilized liquid, and a second liquid outlet tap 13 for flow of sterilized irrigating liquid therefrom. The sterilizer as is conventional with this type of unit, sterilizes only a portion of the liquid flow therethrough. The inlet tap 11 is adapted to be fitted with a hose 11' for attachment to the water tap, or other source of liquid, and the outlet tap 12 is adapted to be fitted with a hose (not shown) leading to a sink. This hose can include a check valve permitting liquid to escape from the line, but not to enter it, in which event there is no danger of backflow from the sink even if the end of the line is below the level of liquid in the sink.

The outlet tap 13 for sterile fluid is adapted for attachment to'the inlet tube 17 of a flexible reservoir bag 20 of thin sterilized transparent plastic film, such as polyvinylidene chloride or polyethylene. To reach the tap 13 from the reservoir bag, which is disposed in the second compartment 9, the tube 17 passes through the aperture 16 in the top 5.

Within the compartment 9 is suspended a track 22 composed of two rails 18, 18' of metal or plastic tubing. The ends of the rails fit in sockets 18 in the supports 27, 28, which are attached to the underside of the top cover 5. A carriage l rides on the track 22, and carries two tubular stub rails 14, 14'. The upper portion of the bag 20 is provided with two circular slides 23, 23 of metal or plastic, which ride upon the tubular stub rails 14, 14. The rails 14, 14' terminate in open lands 25, 25', which serve as a track connector means and which connect with the track on the irrigator so that the bag 20 can be slid on the track from the sterilizer to the irrigator.

When the reservoir bag 20 is supported on the track stubs 14, 14 movement of the carriage on the track 22 moves the bag in to or out from the compartment 9.

The reservoir bag has a tear-drop shape, for greater stability. It is provided with an inlet tube 17 for filling the bag. The tube 17 also serves as an outlet tube, when connected to the pump of the irrigator, as will presently be seen.

in operation of the sterilizer, assuming the irrigating liquid is to be sterile water, the sterilizer vehicle is moved close to a water line, and the sterilizer unit plugged in, using the retractable electric cord connection 38. The inlet tap 11 is then connected by a hose to the water tap, and the outlet tap 12 is connected by a hose to the sink. The sterilizer unit is turned on, and the water flowed through the sterilizer. A portion of this flow is diverted through the sterilizer, where it is sterilized, and then passes through the outlet tap 13 and inlet tube 17 into the bag 20. The flow is continued until the bag has been filled. The irrigator unit can then be wheeled to the sterilizer unit, for transfer of the bag 20 thereto.

The irrigator unit, best seen in FIGS. 3 to 5, is also arranged on a vehicle, but it can as well be on a stationary frame, if the sterilizer is on a vehicle. In this case, the irrigator has a frame 40, which is carried on four swivel wheels 41. The frame is covered by a top 42, which provides a working surface, and also supports the peristaltic pump 44. The sides of the frame are closed in by panels 43.

Attached to the frame at one side is post 45, terminating in an inverted U, at the end of which is carried a weight-sensitive switch 47, to which in turn is connected at hook 48 a gravity feed reservoir bag 49. From the lower portion of this bag extends an irrigator tube 51, which carries irrigating fluid from the bag to the patient. At the top of the bag is a filler tube 52, connected at one end to the bag and at the other end to the outlet side 53 of the peristaltic pump 44. The inlet side of the peristaltic pump 44 has a feed tap 54 for attachment to tube 17, thus connecting the pump to the storage reservoir bag 20, containing the reserve supply of sterilized irrigating fluid. This bag is stored in the open-front compartment 46 of the irrigator, on a track 32, 32. This is arranged as follows.

At the upper part of the compartment 46, suspended from the underside of the top 42 via support 31, is the U-channel track 35, in which slides the bar 36, which carries the carriage 37. The carriage bears stub rails 32, 32, in this case rods held in sockets 33, 33 on the carriage, and which fit within and on the lands 25, 25' on rails 14, 14' of the sterilizer. The rods or rails 32, 32 are of smaller diameter than the rods 14, 14'. The rods 32, 32 can be fitted to the lands 25, 25 by moving the sterilizer and irrigator vehicles in juxtaposition, as shown in FIG. 6.

In operation of the irrigator, the upper reservoir bag 49 is automatically kept filled with sterile irrigating liquid supplied from the lower reservoir bag 20 via tube 17 through the interaction of the weight-sensitive switch 47 and pump 44. This switch is responsive to the weight of a filled reservoir bag, in a manner such that when the bag is empty, the switch 47 is in a first position, in which the switch is turned on, and the pump is turned on, so that the pump pumps fluid from the lower reservoir bag 20 to the upper reservoir bag 49. When the upper reservoir bag 49 has been filled with fluid, the weight moves the switch to a second position, at which the switch is turned off, so as to turn off the pump.

As the bag is emptied of irrigating liquid due to the liquid being fed to the patient, eventually the bag so decreases in weight that the switch is moved back from the second position to the first position, the pump is turned on, and the bag is automatically filled again. The weight of the bag then moves the switch to the second position and turns the pump off again. This cycle is continued until the storage reservoir bag 20 is empty. The empty storage bag is removed and a filled bag installed, whereupon the switch when in the first position turns on the pump and fills the gravity feed bag.

The filled bag is installed in compartment 43 in the manner shown in FIG. 6. First, the empty storage bag 20 is removed by slipping it off the rails 32, 32' in the irrigator. Then the irrigator is moved into position adjacent the sterilizer, and the interconnecting tracks 14, 14', 32, 32', moved out and brought into connection by moving the carriages 15, 37 out on their tracks 22, 32, into the position shown in FIG. 6. The filled reservoir bag 20 is then slid on it slides 23, 23 along the track 14, 14 from the sterilizer across the lands 25, 25 onto the rails 32, 32 on the irrigator, and the carriage 37 then pushed back into position in the storage compartment 46 of the irrigator. The tube 17 on the reservoir bag is connected to the tap 54 of the peristaltic pump 44. The carriage 15 of the sterilizer is pushed back in compartment 9 and the irrigator moved off, while the sterilizer is operated to fill another bag with sterilized irrigating liquid.

While the apparatus of the invention is described as useful with irrigating liquids, it will be apparent that it can be used for any liquid supply where a liquid is to be delivered by gravity in relatively small amounts from an elevated storage reservoir.

If desired, a filter can be placed in the fluid line between the pump and the upper reservoir bag, so as to ensure that bacteria and other microorganisms that may possibly enter the fluid system between the sterile irrigating liquid reservoir bag and the upper bag are prevented from entering the upper bag. For this purpose, a microporous bacteria-removing filter having pores of less than approximately 0.2 micron can be used, such as a microporous membrane filter, or a microporous multilayer filter.

In the event that air or other gases are to be prevented from passing from the reservoir bag to a patient, an air eliminator can be interposed in the line from the upper reservoir bag. Such devices are known, and one example thereof is described for example in US. Pat. No. 3,523,408 to David Rosenberg, issued Aug. 11, 1970.

The tracks shown are tubular or rods, but other shapes can be used. Box beams that are square or rectangular in cross-section are satisfactory. So also is an l-beam, in which case the slides for the reservoir can be made in a U-shape to embrace the lower portion of the beam and ride on the web portion of the beams, between the flanges. Grooved bar stock is also useful.

The interconnecting track portion also can connect telescopically with the tracks of the sterilizer. The track connection can be by way of a tongue-and-groove connection, or by a bayonet type joint, or by way of a threaded or press-fitted adaptor threading onto or into a threaded member on the other track. A smooth joint over which the slides move easily is of course preferred.

The slides can be arranged with wheels, to roll along the track, or with sliding surfaces to glide along the track. 7

Other variations will be apparent to those skilled in this art.

Having regard to the foregoing disclosure the following is claimed as the inventive and patentable embodiments thereof:

1. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system for filling storage reservoirs of thin plastic film carried on a track with sterile irrigating liquid from a sterilizer apparatus, and transferring the filled rservoirs onto a like track within an irrigator apparatus, comprising, in combination, (l) a sterilizer apparatus comprising means for sterilizing irrigating liquid, and track means for carrying a storage reservoir for reception of sterilized irrigation liquid from the sterilizer; and (2) an irrigator apparatus comprising means for supporting a gravity feed reservoir in an elevated position, track means for carrying a storage reservoir containing sterilized irrigating liquid; and a pump for transferring sterilized irrigating liquid from the storage reservoir to the gravity feed reservoir; and (3) track connector means associated either with the track means on the sterilizer or with the track means on the irrigator, detachably linking the two track means together in a manner such that a reservoir filled with sterile irrigating liquid can readily be transferred from the sterilizer transporter to the irrigator along the track means, and stored on the track means in the irrigator.

2. An irrigator liquid supply system according to claim 1, comprising a storage reservoir bag having means running on the track means for the system for supporting the reservoir on the track means.

3. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system accord ing to claim 1, in which the sterilizer can be connected to a water tap, for supply of water to be sterilized.

4. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which the track means on the sterilizer and irrigator comprise tubular and rod members, and the track connector means comprises a land on either the tube or the rod member connectable to the other of said track means.

5. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which the storage reservoir comprises a bag of plastic film having glide means running on the track means of the system.

6. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which one of the sterilizer and irrigator is mounted for movement on a vehicle.

7. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which both are mounted for movement on a vehicle.

8. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which one of the track means is tubular and terminates in a land'and one of the track means is a rod and fits on the land in linking the two track means together.

9. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which at least one of the track means is mounted on a carriage, and the carriage is movably carried on a track, for movement on the track into and out from the apparatus to which it is attached.

10. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which each of the apparatus comprises a storage compartment from the top of which the track means is supported. 

1. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system for filling storage reservoirs of thin plastic film carried on a track with sterile irrigating liquid from a sterilizer apparatus, and transferring the filled rservoirs onto a like track within an irrigator apparatus, comprising, in combination, (1) a sterilizer apparatus comprising means for sterilizing irrigating liquid, and track means for carrying a storage reservoir for reception of sterilized irrigation liquid from the sterilizer; and (2) an irrigator apparatus comprising means for supporting a gravity feed reservoir in an elevated position, track means for carrying a storage reservoir containing sterilized irrigating liquid; and a pump for transferring sterilized irrigating liquid from the storage reservoir to the gravity feed reservoir; and (3) track connector means associated either with the track means on the sterilizer or with the track means on the irrigator, detachably linking the two track means together in a manner such that a reservoir filled with sterile irrigating liquid can readily be transferred from the sterilizer transporter to the irrigator along the track means, and stored on the track means in the irrigator.
 2. An irrigator liquid supply system according to claim 1, comprising a storage reservoir bag having means running on the track means for the system for supporting the reservoir on the track means.
 3. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which the sterilizer can be connected to a water tap, for supply of water to be sterilized.
 4. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which the track means on the sterilizer and irrigator comprise tubular and rod members, and the track connector means comprises a land on either the tube or the rod member connectable to the other of said track means.
 5. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which the storage reservoir comprises a bag of plastic film having glide means running on the track means of the system.
 6. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which one of the sterilizer and irrigator is mounted for movement on a vehicle.
 7. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which both are mounted for movement on a vehicle.
 8. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which one of the track means is tubular and terminates in a land and one of the track means is a rod and fits on the land in linking the two track means together.
 9. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which at least one of the track means is mounted on a carriage, and the carriage is movably carried on a track, for movement on the track into and out from the apparatus to which it is attached.
 10. An irrigator irrigating liquid supply system according to claim 1, in which each of the apparatus comprises a storage compartment from the top of which the track means is supported. 